Get Outside!

Happy 100th birthday to America’s National Parks! And what a party it will be, with more than 300 million people flocking to these wonders each year. But with 59 national parks, how do you decide which ones to visit? In honor of National Park Week, here’s our roundup of 8 of the top national parks to explore - 4 today and 4 more later this week!

Acadia National Park, Maine 

Acadia National Park in Maine is famed for its rocky coastline and islands.

From October to March, the first daylight to reach the U.S. arrives at 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. A crowd gathers on the mountain, the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast. When the sun appears over the horizon, they erupt in cheers. 

There’s plenty worth cheering about at this 47,000-acre site, one of America’s top national parks. Almost three million visitors a year take in its rugged shoreline, protected coves, rocky islands, spruce-fir forests, wetlands and mountains. See a variety of terrain on the 20-mile Park Loop Road, which takes you above the sea before veering through mountainous forests and valleys. Or hike on the 125 miles of trails, or bike along the 55 miles of historic carriage roads. 

Another stunning view is from Champlain Mountain. It’s a 6.5-mile hike to the top, where you’ll enjoy vistas of the Atlantic and Frenchman Bay. The park is considered premier birdwatching territory, and is also great for spying marine life such as seals, porpoises and even whales. For the best scenery, take a boat cruise or rent a kayak or canoe. 

Glacier National Park, Montana 

More than two million visitors a year head to Glacier, one of the top national parks, for its namesake 25 active glaciers, including Grinnell and Sperry. But you’ll discover so much more here. Take in the towering Rocky Mountains, scenic waterfalls, forests, meadows, and colorful wildflowers each spring. The park also features 762 deep blue alpine lakes, including Lake McDonald and St. Mary Lake. See them up close from the deck of a classic wooden boat. Or do the work yourself by kayaking or canoeing. 

This one-million-acre park extends south from the USA-Canada border, and wildlife such as mountain goats and grizzly bears roam its vast plains. Head into its interior on the 52-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, which crosses the Continental Divide. The narrow road twists and turns, offering spectacular views of the park’s dramatic peaks and valleys. Opened in 1933, it’s a National Historic Landmark in its own right. Follow it by car, bike or historic tour bus. 

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona 

Pictures can’t prepare you for seeing the Grand Canyon’s enormity in person

Everyone has seen images of the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Grand it is – a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide. But you’re still taken by its enormity the first time you stand on its edge. Join the more than five million people a year who venture to the Grand Canyon for this incomparable experience. 

Most people see the canyon from the South Rim. Yavapai Point, near the South Rim visitor area, provides a gorgeous view of the inner canyon, Bright Angel Canyon, and the Colorado River. But it’s worth the short hike down one of its trails on foot or by mule for a fresh vista. Even a mile or two, perhaps along the flat paved Rim Trail, makes a difference. 

For more adventurous visitors, enjoy classic whitewater rafting along the 277 scenic miles of the Colorado. The mighty river carved out the canyon’s multicolored layers; the oldest goes back a whopping 1.8 billion years. Admiring the canyon while on its floor is an unforgettable experience. And you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete. Anyone in reasonable health can enjoy it. 

Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee 

It is hard not to be in awe of the quiet beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains is the most-visited of the top national parks, with more than 10 million people admiring its wonders each year. That’s partly because of the busy scenic highway that runs through the park. If you drive through quickly, though, you’ll miss the rest of its 522,000 acres. 

Instead, explore the park through its 584 miles of roadways. The ancient mountains are the main draw. Take in the views of seven states from the tower atop Clingsmans Dome. It’s the park’s highest point at 6,643 feet. 

The wildlife is also astonishing. The park houses more than 17,000 animal and plant species. Almost 95 percent of the park is forest, a quarter of that old growth. More than 1,500 flowering plants range from trillium and orchids to azaleas and sunflowers. The park also features more than 500 miles of fishing streams. 

Relics of Southern Appalachian culture survive in the park as well. It features one of the best collection of historic log buildings in the eastern U.S., with more than 90 structures including houses, churches and grist mills. 

That's enough for today! Tune in later this week for the other 4 National Parks on my MUST-DO list!